2002 Ford F Series Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Ford F Series (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford F Series. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system (8) and engine (6). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling10 29%
- Fuel system8 24%
- Engine6 18%
- Electrical system3 8.8%
- Vehicle speed control3 8.8%
- Brakes2 5.9%
- Other or unknown2 5.9%
- Steering2 5.9%
Also reported: Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I woke up last week to the sound of a car alarm. I looked outside and the front of my Ford f 150 was engulfed in flames. It was so hot the tires melted into the driveway. We had not driven the truck in several days. It appears the fire started in the engine as the entire front of the vehicle is incinerated.”
NHTSA complaint #10192067, filed 2007-05, 75,000 milesFuel system: “Throttle body linkage plastic cover clamshell cracked in half at plastic hinge (oxidized plastic) . Loose plastic cover wedged open throttle fully causing dangerous life threatening driving stuck at full throttle. I have the cover and photos if you want me to send them.”
NHTSA complaint #10566358, filed 2014-02, 154,000 milesEngine: “A spark plug ejected from the right side head of the engine head while running down the hwy at 60 MPH. The head might be damaged. I haven't had a chance to get it fixed. Been a Ford truck guy all my life & I can't believe Ford hasn't accepted any responsibility of any portion or kind for this. My estimated expense to repair this is $1,000 to $3,000 depending on any damage to the head etc.. I paid $4200 for the truck in april of 2013...it is in very good condition & to good to junk in my opinion. Besides I can't afford to buy another truck so I have to try to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10562084, filed 2014-01, 180,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “While backing into my truck started making a load noise, it was obvious it was in the front end. Trying to turn the steering wheel, it was stuck. Stopped the truck, looked under the front of truck at steering, I noticed that there was a hole in the frame, it was then that I saw the steering link, against the right cv axle. The idler arm had some how ripped off the frame, leaving na hole where the idler arm was, the frame of the truck had weakened, causing the metal to weaken and separate, thank again Ford.”
NHTSA complaint #10639169, filed 2014-09, 134,549 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,345 and 148,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 03V094000Mar 7, 2003Body and structureCovers: Ford F Series 2000–2003, Explorer 2000–2003, Dodge Grand Caravan 2000–2003 +9 more
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might…
Recall details for the 2002 Ford F Series → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10029029Dec 29, 2008Engine cooling, Electrical system. Jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with v10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. Model years unknown.
- 10013116Sep 6, 2004Electrical system. Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
Other model years of the Ford F Series
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 9 | 44,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 7 | 99,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 34 | 98,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 44 | 100,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 41 | 73,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 36 | 80,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 20 | 87,521 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 47 | 118,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 16 | 104,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 16 | 110,080 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 7 | 125,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 5 | 160,825 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 6 | 49,995 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 6 | 92,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford F Series model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Ford F Series have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford F Series as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Ford F Series is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system with 8.
Has the 2002 Ford F Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Ford F Series reported?
Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,000 miles and the middle half falls between 47,345 and 148,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.